If you’re reading this article, you’re likely someone who enjoys learning. And you’re not alone. With an approximate 5.44 billion internet users as of 2024, there are many others just like you learning online. And guess what? Around 83% of those users prefer to learn through video than just through text or audio alone. Which is why we’re here today to discuss how to create strong tutorial videos, and start capitalizing on connecting with your audience.
What Is a Tutorial Video?
While this may seem obvious, let’s clarify so as to not get it confused with the beloved product video. Tutorial videos teach someone how to do something while product videos show you what something does. For example, your company sells security systems. Your product video for this item would be highlighting the system’s features, while a tutorial video on that same system would be how to use and control those features.
Do I Charge for My Tutorials?
This one is up to you and would depend on what it is you offer as well. You can always market your tutorials as a course, or offer it as a freebie in exchange for the ever valuable email address or contact info, or simply use tutorials for your product education and general awareness. So knowing your objective in posting is crucial. Are you trying to gain more followers on your socials or simply offer helpful aids in using your product? Or do you need to increase revenue for your company? Weigh what your end goal is, and decide from there.
Here’s one of our own tutorials, that we posted on our YouTube as a free 10-week video course. Our aim in doing so? To generate more content on our channel, and attract new followers.
Important Factors for Making Great Tutorial Videos
While great teaching can come in many forms, there are some main points that will always work and aid your video in being that much more engaging. They are…
- Use visuals and audio to keep viewer’s attention. With up to 65% of the population being visual learners, using video and audio helps keep it in their memory.
- Keep it clear and simple. In this day of ever-shortening attention spans, it’s vital you get to your point clearly and efficiently. If you only need one sentence to describe something, then just use ONE sentence. Don’t keep talking if the point was already clearly made. (The only exception to this would be repeating an important point twice, so as to identify its, well, importance.)
- Present it in bullet points to keep it easy to follow. Doing this will not only keep things organized for you but also for your viewer. Plus, it’s easier for your audience to keep their place, should they need to step away and return to it later.
- Good lighting and high-quality audio. If you are well-lit and can be heard clearly in your video, chances are your viewers will stick around longer. They are that important to presenting well.
- Include captions. Again, most people are very visual, so using closed captions in your video will help them to focus and retain your tutorial (plus help boost that much-needed SEO!).
How To Record on Your Screen
A common practice for many tutorial videos is to capture footage of their desktop/laptop screen to show viewers the step-by-step process. If your tutorial video requires (and would benefit) from this, click here for instructions for Mac, or here to learn how to record on Windows 11.
How Long Should My Video Tutorial Be?
This one is also up to you, based on a few factors. How thorough does your tutorial need to be in order to put its point(s) across? Will it work better as one longer video? Or be more captivating cut up into shorter videos to be released over time? Generally speaking, tutorial videos are best between 3-6 minutes in length (with nothing over 20 minutes), but you decide based on the above factors, and post accordingly.
Where to Post Your Tutorial Videos
Another element to consider when deciding video length is where you plan on sharing it. For example, YouTube is a great space for longer, more in-depth videos. But say you want to share your tutorials in little snippets over time? TikTok may be an even better bet (alongside YouTube Shorts). Also, where does your target audience live? Where are they most likely to want to view your videos, and actually engage? Consider these when deciding the best platforms for your videos.
Get Feedback
Want to create tutorial videos but not sure what to teach? Best source for inspiration? Your customers!
Whether you need new ideas or simply want to continue to enhance your customer’s experience, getting direct feedback from them is so important (and helpful!). Ask your customers for their most common questions about your product or service, then teach on those. This is not only a great way to generate new content ideas but also connect with your clients, showing them you value their input while you improve your customer service.
And there you go! If you keep it simple, clear, and creative, your tutorial videos are sure to not only teach but also inspire.